Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Sako Vixen action to rebarrel

I have a Sako Vixen (Rihamakki) action to rebarrel. It is currently .222 Rem but I think it will handle the .223 too. I would like to make it into a stalking rifle (not a varmit rifle) to carry on long hikes when I just might like to shoot a coyote or other critter. I have no experience with this action and would like to know more about it before I get started? Also, is there anyone in the Phoenix area who might be good at truing up the action and rebarreling for me?

When I was young I had this book. Varmint hunter's digest. In there Jim Dougherty (now more known for his bowhunting exploits) talked about his wife owning a Sako Vixen in 222. Said at that time they were highly sought after pieces. Maybe worth something to a collector.

If it was me - and I didn't want to mess with re-loading or a hvy barrel job - I would just keep it 222. As to a smith in the Phoenix area - contact Blaine here, he lives IVO Tuscon IIRC and he can prob point you in the right direction.

This one has no collector value. I bought the action as a starter for a light rifle I have thought about for some years. Pretty slick little minature mauser action with a drop magazine which holds three rounds in a vertical (not staggered) clip. I thought that since it needs a barrel anyway making it .223, if the magazine will accommodate the extra couple hundredths length, would gain access to the monetary advantage of shooting the less expensive and slightly more more potent ammo available. And there is a lot greater variety in the .223 ammo as well.

Agree then on the 223. Hope it works well for you. Should you not find a local smith Pac-Nor is an option - one stop shop. I can also say Mickey Coleman (posts here - have to do a search) builds some great shooters and is a true gentleman too.

I have had an L46 Sako since 1962 and it's one of favorites.

If yours is a standard 222 the clip is not long enough for the 223 cartridge. They also made those in 222mag. and that would handle the 223 lenght.

By the way, back in the 60's Jim D. was in the same predator calling club I was in and while I never hunted with him I knew him quite well. In fact he shot a 222mag. Sako /6X Redfield scope with extra heavy crosshairs himself.

Pete -- I wore that book out - I loved Jim D and his writing. Sure wish he woulda done another.....


You get to go on any of the Ca vs Az calling comps he did with Doug K. (I can't remember how to spell his last name Kittrege?) where thy used the boar on the Colorado river, flew into primo stuff.... ect?

Not sure the 223 will feed through the magazine, but it might work.
I LOVE that action. It was one of the very finest actions for a 222 ever made. I'd go with a 222, but it's yours to do as you wish with..
Don

I also have one that I enjoy shooting. Be extra careful with that trigger. I can not find a repalcement....yet. I modded mine to lighten the pull. I would have prefered to have a spare around for piece of mind. BTW, anyone know where I can get one?

I kept mine as a 222, why change something that works. The 223 does have a few advanteges over the original. I don't think it is as accurate as a 222 though. Besides that, just not enough for me to change....but that is me.

Mine is from the early '60s too. The Unertal is a little older....I wanted to keep it all old looking to upset the locals when comparing targets. She does a pretty good job.





...and a little closer look at the action




Decisions, decisions ?!

Take care,
Chris

Teal'

You bet , I made most of the Colo. River hunts. Then I moved back to Ariz. and represented Ariz. Also I've hunted the famous Papago Indian Res. in it's hey day. Like kills of 10 to 12 dogs a day. If you would like to see some old calling photos go to : HuntAmerica, predator calling board, back to page 11 ( I think) and look for "A lifetime of predator calling".
I emailed pictures to another guy so they arn't posted by me.
I also had one of the famous "bat lights" made by Ron Holstock another guy that Jim hunted with. In fact he was "Boy Robin", wence the bat light name <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

CKnerr, that's a nice rifle but I think it's an L461- next later model. Still, a great little rifle.

Pedro

Pete- my only contact with them was his book. Another question -- Was Sam Dudley all that and a bag o' chips?

Seems he was king stud and I was curious as to how good it was to be king. Ain't bagging on the guy - just know in the book he was IT. (the Tiger Woods of critter callin <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

Man I wish I coulda hunted with those guys. Seems to have much more of an adventure feel to it than hunting these days. Ron Holstock sounded like a charecter too...

Got a feeling they would fit in real well round here too.....

With regard to a PHX area smith to true your action up and rebarrel it, give Bruno Shooters a call. Lester Bruno has a shop near DV airport where many nice BR rifles are built. I'm going to have them work on a Remington donor of mine as soon as I procure all the pieces. Keep in mind too that your smith options open up immensely if you consider other areas besides PHX.

Sam was the "real deal", with eyes like a hawk- even in his old age. His son Bill was also a good caller.

Sam shot a 243win. exclusively, even for elk hunting. Come to think of it he also had a shotgun named Sara - I seem to remember.

One guy you don't see mentioned was a friend of mine named Dick Fight. His picture was in the Varmint digest also, 8 or 9 dogs (heads only) on the back of a Ford flatbed. I remember Dick winning a 5 week contest killing 69 coyotes.
These guys were all in the Phx. or Masa chapters. I lived in Tucson and was in same chapter. I have many fond memories of the Ariz. desert. Still hit the coyotes (around here), guess it's in my blood. Pete

Wow- cool - thanks for sharing...